We’ve mentioned working on the book a few times recently, so here’s an update on where we are in the process. Our earlier post covered how we landed the book deal and the first stages of writing. Since then we’ve moved well beyond the outline and into intense writing, editing, and photo production—so there’s lots to report.
When we posted two months ago we had just finished a 160-page outline and begun coordinating design with our publisher. The book is a collection of roughly 250 ideas for “showing your home some love”—everything from small art projects and quick fixes to larger makeovers involving paint and furniture. Artisan, our publisher, debated whether to keep a Fall release or push to Spring. We pushed for the earlier date and they agreed, which meant we had to speed things up.
- Over the two weeks spanning Christmas and New Year’s we turned that outline into a complete manuscript. It was intense, but we finished the draft on schedule.
- After we submitted the manuscript our editor read it and, to our surprise, requested no major rewrites. It then went to a copy editor for grammar and punctuation checks and came back with markup.
- We received a printed copy with the publisher’s edits and the copy editor’s notes in different colored pencils. The packet included a blue pencil for our responses and final decisions. Reading a physical document made it easier to catch errors than on-screen editing would have been.
We spent multiple long days responding to edits, answering queries, and tightening sections where needed. The manuscript was due back to the publisher quickly, so we focused intensely for a couple of days to get it shipped on time.
But the manuscript is only part of the book work. The bigger effort has been preparing for the photo shoots, which started this week. Here’s what that side of production looks like:
- Of the roughly 250 ideas in the book, about 100 will be photographed, another 100 will be illustrated, and the rest are simple tips that don’t require images. That meant we had to complete around 100 projects or sets so the photographer would have material to capture.
- We didn’t push all of these projects before turning in the manuscript because we didn’t want to complete anything that might be cut. Once the first version was submitted, we had about 30 days to finish the remaining projects. That translated into many late nights of painting, sewing, shopping, and building multiple projects at once.
- Some projects were already finished and waiting to be shot, which helped. Others had to be staged specifically so we could photograph before, process, and after shots—so many items needed to be paused at mid-completion for documentation.
We’re not doing all of this alone. The publisher hired a producer to keep schedules and details organized, and there’s someone dedicated to sourcing supplies when we need them quickly. A professional photographer is handling the shoots, making everything look better than our own small-camera efforts. Still, we’re choosing items, directing styling, and completing projects, so we’re in the thick of it.
Given a modest book budget, we’ve relied on thrift stores, Craigslist, and borrowing pieces from local shops (to be returned after shooting). This budget constraint has been useful—many projects are intentionally low-cost, with ideas under $50, $25, $5, and even free—so the book includes plenty of affordable inspiration.
Our house is currently a creative disaster zone: half-finished projects, stacked furniture in the sunroom awaiting makeovers, fabric and frames on the dining table, paint cans on the floor, and frames removed from our hallway for book use. It’s messy, but it’s an exciting kind of chaos.
- For a few weeks the house has become a production studio. Our guest room stores completed projects, the dining room holds works in progress, and the sunroom stores items we can’t touch until the “before” shots are taken.
- Photography is scheduled roughly 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., four days a week for about three weeks, so much of February is devoted to shooting—mostly in our own home-turned-set. We wrap just before traveling for an event, so it’s a full month of production.
- The team staying in our house has been great. We completed dozens of “before” shots quickly, then moved into painting, upholstering, and finishing as soon as the initial images were captured. We’re taking behind-the-scenes photos to share closer to the book’s release.
Many readers have asked what will happen to the completed project items. We hope to do a charity auction or giveaway with some pieces, though logistics like shipping are still being figured out. Some borrowed items will be returned, and a couple especially sentimental projects might remain with us.
Apologies if responses to blog comments have been slower than usual—juggling the blog, book production, and family has been a delicate balance. We’re grateful for the opportunity and excited to share this process as it unfolds. Thanks for following along, and we can’t wait to reveal more when the book is ready.
Update: Our baby’s sleeping schedule has been a huge help—she often sleeps through the night so we can keep working when needed.